Weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m2) versus three-weekly (100mg/m2) cisplatin delivered concurrently with radiotherapy in high risk head and neck cancer patients

Abstract

Three weekly versus weekly Cisplatin dose in locally advanced head and neck cancer is. controversial topic and has been under investigation in the last decade. Our study highlights the different clinical and survival aspects of adopting these two regimens combined with radiation. Our results show a significant better PFS for the three weekly dose compared to the weekly regimen. However overall survival was relatively the same. Despite having more adverse effects for the three weekly regimen, yet no significant difference was found. Patients receiving three weekly dose showed better compliance to treatment and thus better cumulative dose of Cisplatin compared to the weekly dose. This can be a justifiable explanation for the better survival results in the three weekly group. Future prospectie multicenter studies are needed to better delineate more the benefits and adverse effects of each regimen when combined with radiation for the locally advanced head and neck cancer patients.